The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the familiar path that led me home. My bag swung from my shoulder, heavy with my college books but a weight lifted from my shoulders and a smile on my face knowing this was the first time I was coming home as a college graduate, having completed my studies in English Literature and Mythology. Mom would be delighted to hear that I graduated with the highest grades in my classes, all the hard work and endless nights of studying having paid off. But as I approached the threshold of our welcoming cottage, an eerie stillness enveloped the air. Mom was not there to greet me on the porch like she did every single week, and dad was not shouting' 'Well Sport' from his study window with a cup of coffee in hand. A foreboding chill crawled up my spine, unsettling my very core. Something was very off. 

Pushing open the creaking door, I stepped into the dimly lit hallway, my heart pounding against my ribcage. Shadows danced upon the walls, whispering secrets of an unspoken tragedy. And then, as I turned the corner into the living room, my world shattered.

There, lying motionless on the cold hardwood floor, were the lifeless bodies of my beloved parents. Their eyes, once vibrant with love and laughter, now stared vacantly into the abyss. Tears welled in my eyes as I sank to my knees, My fiery red hear washed around my face as sobs wracked my body one after the other. I looked at their bodies finding no trace of struggle or injuries making me wonder what had transpired before these events. Quickly, I searched their pockets looking for any trace of information that may help me understand better. A rough piece of scrunched up paper roll in my father's breast pocket piqued my interest. I unfurled the paper roll with shaking hands and tears threatening to destroy the words before I had even read them 

It read a single line;

Scarlet, go to your Fairy Fort - Damon

Desperation clawed at my chest as I frantically searched every room, hoping to find answers, hoping to find Damon, my older brother. But he was nowhere to be found. Panic swirled inside me, threatening to pull me under. Where was he? Why had he abandoned us in this time of darkness? Had he left the note before Mom and Dad died?

In that moment of profound loss, a surge of determination overcame me. I knew I had to flee, to find sanctuary in the depths of the wilderness in the Fairy Fort as I called our forest home, far away from the haunting memories that lingered within these walls. Quickly, I ran to my room, emptying my book bag, replacing its contents with clothes and boots. I grabbed the family picture from my bedside table, tears once again spilling at the four smiling faces that stared back at me. Moms long red hair glowed in the sunlight only further enhancing her bright blue eyes, which smiled on her own. She was elegant and beautiful, holding a much younger version of herself in her arms. My face was like hers only younger and frozen, mid laugh showing a missing tooth. Dad in all his handsome glory was holding Damon, Their blond hair showing their likeness too. I shoved the photo into my bag, tears once again blurring my eyes. Lastly, I packed some food, knowing that the house wouldn't have any food since we had not stayed there since last summer. 

 With every step, the weight of grief and confusion pressed upon my shoulders, urging me forward. The forest enveloped me in its somber embrace as I trudged through the undergrowth, my steps heavy with grief. It had only been a few agonizing hours since my parents' tragic departure, and the pain in my chest refused to subside. I clung tightly to my fathers coat on my body, protecting me from the cold damp air of the forest.

The trees whispered softly, their mournful sighs echoing my sorrow. Each rustling leaf seemed to taunt me, a cruel reminder of the happiness that was now forever out of reach. Memories of laughter and love flooded my mind, fragments of a childhood filled with joy. But now, the silence of the forest echoed the hollowness in my heart.

With each step, my determination wavered, but I pressed on, driven by an inexplicable force compelling me to reach my destination. The path grew treacherous, roots reaching out to trip me, branches snagging at my clothes. It was as if nature itself was testing my resolve. A resolve that was quickly diminishing as each hour passed trekking to the house. Damon must have done this purposefully knowing I would be far from our home and the tragic events that had transpired there. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking, I emerged into a small clearing. The house stood before me, a timeworn relic hidden among the ancient oaks. It exuded an aura of childhood memories, of summers spent playing chasing with Damon, and evenings spent listening to Mom and Dad singing and sharing stories with their two children. 

I pushed open the heavy door, its mournful creak sending shivers down my spine. As I stepped inside, a mix of nostalgia and sadness hung in the air, as if the memories of my parents still danced within these walls. The faded photographs on the walls captured moments of their happiness, tugging at my heartstrings with both joy and anguish. I sank to my knees, tears streaming down my face, allowing the weight of my loss to wash over me.

In this house, their presence was palpable. Their love and laughter seemed to echo through the empty rooms, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. It was both a solace and a painful reminder of what I had lost. But I refused to be consumed by despair. Instead, I vowed to honor their memory and carry their love within me as I faced the mysteries that awaited.

As I wandered through the rooms, my fingertips brushed against the remnants of their lives. The worn armchair where my father used to read me bedtime stories, the cracked teacup my mother treasured, each artifact held a piece of their essence. I felt a surge of determination rise within me, a newfound strength to unravel the truths hidden within these walls.

This was just the beginning of my journey, and as I stood up, wiping away my tears, I knew I had to face the darkness that lay ahead. In this house in the woods, I would find answers, and perhaps, a glimmer of hope to guide me through the shadows that threatened to consume me.

The safe house nestled deep within the woods became my refuge—a haven from the cruel world that had stripped me of everything I held dear. As twilight painted the sky with hues of lavender and gold, I found solace in the whispers of the wind and the gentle rustling of leaves.

But it was not solitude that greeted me in the moonlit clearing; it was a pack of majestic wolves. I had never seen wolves in the forest in all my years staying here in summer but the whispers of my fathers fairy tales suddenly didn't seem so far fetched. He used to tell Damon and I stories of wolves who passed through the clearing, capable of shifting into strong humans with warrior spirits. I peaked out at them through the porch door, making sure to not startle them and give away my presence but the door betrayed me, groaning ever so slightly as it opened. I froze, panic making my blood run cold as the biggest wolf, with a midnight fur coat and piercing amber eyes locked onto mine. He sniffed the air stepping one tentative paw forward but seemed to shake his head thinking better of getting closer. He stared for a few minutes, his gaze boring into my very soul. Soon my attention was dragged to the movement of other wolves behind the tree-line, but as a small brown furred wolf came out the leader of the pack immediately growled at it, causing the small wolf to whimper and retreat. At last the big burly wolf took one last look before letting out a long beautiful howl. Other howls joined and then suddenly, the wolf took off into the forest. Fear mingled with curiosity as I observed more wolves run past the clearing, their graceful movements and soft paws creating a melody around the lonely house. Finally when the sounds no longer graced my ears, I retreated in, night now completely shrouding the house, leaving me alone with my grief and unanswered questions. 

Day after day I searched for clues about what had happened to my parents or Damon and night after night, the wolves stood vigil, as I sat on the porch growing more distressed in my lack of finding answers. Their presence a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of the trees at night. 

At first, their presence unnerved me, but I was determined to get closer and test the limits of these seemingly docile creatures. My plan was decided. I would leave the house before sunset and try catch these creatures in motion from a safe distance. I walked for a few hours deeper into the forest, Dad's coat on, and a small flashlight in one hand. 

The moon cast an ethereal glow upon the forest as I ventured deeper into the unknown. Each step echoed with uncertainty, though I felt excitement at the prospect of understanding more about this wolf pack, the weight of my grief hung heavy on my soul. The night was alive with mysterious sounds—a symphony of rustling leaves and distant whispers, as if nature itself held its breath.

A cool breeze brushed against my cheeks, ruffling my long red hair, as I meandered along a narrow path. A flicker of movement caught my attention, and I froze in my tracks. There, bathed in moonlight, stood a magnificent creature—the black wolf who had been watching me the last few nights, its eyes gleaming like twin orbs of amber. My heart skipped a beat as our gazes locked, a strange connection forming between us.

I sensed no threat in the wolf's piercing gaze; instead, a sense of ancient wisdom emanated from its powerful presence. It stood tall and proud, a living embodiment of the wild and untamed. I approached cautiously, drawn to its enigmatic aura.

As I drew nearer, the wolf remained still, as if waiting for me. A wave of calm washed over me, and I reached out a trembling hand, my fingers grazing the soft fur of its majestic form. In that moment, time seemed to stand still as a bond forged in the depths of sorrow connected us. A surge of emotions coursed through me, intermingling with the wolf's own energy. 

In the moonlit woods, a silent conversation unfolded. In that moment, an understanding passed between us, transcending the boundaries of human and animal. It was as if the wolf sought to protect me, to guide me through the treacherous maze of my shattered existence. Each passing night, my suspicion had grown that there was more to these creatures than met the eye. Now, my cold hand entangled in his fur, strengthened this thought. New questions formed; How was it that I had never seen them before until the night my parents were killed? And why did they lurk by the clearing for hours every single night?

With a final glance, the wolf turned and melted into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Yet, its presence lingered within me, an indelible mark upon my soul. I knew then that this encounter was no mere coincidence; it was a harbinger of the journey that awaited me.

As I continued my path through the woods, a newfound sense of purpose welled within me. I carried the wolf's essence with me, its spirit intertwined with my own. Together, we would navigate the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, drawing strength from each other and the connection forged beneath the moonlit sky. I had company and protection while searching for answers in my family's home. 

Little did I know that the revelation awaiting me in the depths of the forest would shatter the illusion of my identity, unleashing a dormant power within. My life, once carefully planned and confined to the boundaries of human existence, was about to be rewritten in the language of moonlight and wolf songs, the songs my parents sang to Damon and I by the fire every summer since we were children.